Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Milestones: #3 SoFL Living

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. - Psalm 103:2

In this challenge to set up personal milestones as an altar of worship & thankfulness, I come to the 3rd of 7: a blessing from Christ that was life changing.

Years ago, Shelly & I would visit my parents over the holidays. My dad was given to watch the Weather Channel, especially in those winter months. I would look at that map of the U.S., showing the blizzard threats, the freeze warnings, the some-what milder yet cold temps of the south... and then there was South Florida. Most of the country ranged from 0-45 degrees, but South Florida registered temperatures in the 80s! And sunshine!

To be completely honest, I detest Winter. I don't even really like Fall. Every year I attempt to keep these feelings to myself as long as possible, as I have come to realize that its pretty frustrating for people who keep asking, "Aren't you glad we're having cooler weather?" Usually, I'm not glad at all about it. I prefer year-round Summer, with maybe a dose of "Summer Lite" and some Spring. The color changing of the leaves does absolutely nothing for me. Oh, it's pretty, but you know what is even prettier? GREEN! Green grass. Green trees. Year-round green is perfect for me!

To that point, I had been blessed to live in some great places: Louisiana, Arkansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma. As beautiful as they were, and as much as I have truly enjoyed each place I have lived, they all interrupted my year with cold weather,and in several cases - snow (yuck!).

So, I would sit with my Dad, watching the Weather Channel over Christmas vacation, dreaming and praying, "God, why can't I live there?"

As life unfolded, I found myself at the beginning of 2005 sending out my resume to churches seeking a full-time youth pastor. One of those was in Coral Springs, FL, a part of the Ft. Lauderdale metro area. It turned out to be my great joy to serve as the Associate Pastor of Coral Springs Community Church for nearly 3 years!

During that time, Jesus did so much in my life. He helped me discover things about myself that I didn't know... or that I was in denial about. Jesus met me in the middle of the mess going on in my heart & in my head, and brought healing to me spiritually and emotionally. In the time we lived in South Florida, Jesus absolutely changed my life! I learned to rest (Sabbath) in Him, not in the opinions (or my perceived opinions) of others, nor in my own ability to produce results. I learned to serve in a church full-time, while preparing for what was next (a Lead Pastor role). I learned to find my fulfillment in my connection to Jesus, instead in my attachment to people and things. I learned to forgive without being asked. I learned to put God and my family before the ministry.

Also, I learned quite a bit of conversational Spanish (which I have pretty much lost since then) and to love Colombian food and Cuban Coffee (both of which I still partake in as much as I can)!

And, I learned to love the Ocean. So very, very much.

I am tremendously thankful for the years Jesus guided my family to live, work, and play in South Florida. While I am falling more and more in love with our new home in Natchitoches, LA, I may still have moments... on very cold days... if I happen to see the Weather Channel... and think...

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+

Email

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The above photo is from a youth convention in 2001... and yes, that is yours truly with the ponytail.

One of the biggest battles within Christian congregations is "worship style." Now, one on the outside looking in, may be wondering, "Battles? Isn't there enough going on in the world to not be having battles amongst yourselves?" One would think so... wouldn't one. Never the less, this is an issue that has caused major fights between people who have chosen to continue the mission of Jesus (yes, that was a loaded statement; read it again if you like).

To some people, style is everything. To others, the One being worshiped is everything. To others, they just show up out of routine or duty.

Most people in emerging generations understand that the word worship has been taken out of context, and that it really has more to do with how you live day in and day out than what songs you sing or what rituals you partake in once or twice a week (more or less). The &qu…

I continually find myself thankful for those who have invested in me. Men and women who have mentored or coached me (maybe without realizing it), by befriending me and engaging in thought-provoking conversation - speaking into my life, as well as listening as if I may have something to say. Some continue to invest in me, as I continue to grow and develop as a person... others may have been involved in my life for a short season. But for each and every one of them, I am thankful.

One such friend is John McCallum (in the pic above with his awesome wife, Dayna). John is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Hot Springs, AR. I met John (I think for the first time) at a prayer luncheon for pastors when we happened to be seated at the same table. During the conversation, he mentioned to us other pastors at the table that FBC had a full fitness center/gym, and would like to offer a free Family Membership to any Senior Pastor of the churches in town. A few weeks later, I took him (and …

April 28 is International "Pay It Forward Day" or "Random Acts of Kindness Day." I saw it on my social media feed, so I looked it up. Turns out 70 countries have signed this into being a legit "International Day of..." The idea is to make today a reminder to be kind to others every day.

Not a bad idea. It's good to have reminders. For instance, this morning I failed to write down all the errands I needed to run for the family, and Awaken Church. I still don't have windshield washer fluid in my car.

Reminders are good. Windshields of crusty bug carcasses are bad.

At this point, I must issue a warning/disclaimer: if you are offended by acronyms, or have a deep loathing for cheesy cliche-ish type things, then stop reading now, and return to whatever deep intellectual pursuit you were engaged in before you came here.

Reflecting on what it means to Be KIND, I came up with these ways to do it:

I feel the most fully alive when I'm experiencing something new. And teaching others. And teaching others so that something new is awakened in them. Life is meant to be lived. People are meant to be loved.
Jesus is the Subject.